Abstract

The effects of cocaine, stress, and the combination of cocaine and stress on cellular immune proliferation stimulated by mitogens Con A and LPS were examined in rats. Hypothalamic dopamine and norepinephrine were measured to examine whether catecholamine levels relate to changes in immune function in this paradigm. Cocaine, stress, and cocaine plus stress decreased cellular immune function to Con A mitogen compared to a control group. Hypothalamic dopamine levels were inversely related to immune proliferation to LPS mitogen . The results are discussed in terms of the deleterious effects of cocaine and stress, and possible mechanisms for cocaine and stress-induced immune suppression.

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